Sylvari smiled the dangerous smile of a predator. "When I'm done with them, they'll be either docile as kittens, or no longer a concern. Grave crimes have been committed, and the perpetrators will repay their debt in kind."

She turned her attention to his other words as well, smiling fondly as her companion indicated he had a collective to take care of. "It's wise to know who you are in bed with, but yes, asking questions you don't want to answers to is generally a road to unhappiness. On my honor, all under your care will have my protection for as long as I am able to grant it. My hammer is theirs to strike with, and my armor will shield them from harm. This I so swear."

She looked to the lad seriously, extending a gauntleted hand in a sincere pact.

It was always better to have a killer in bed than not. Vinny did frown, still not entirely too happy with her. Her threats to those who basically ran the streets were not taken lightly. “You need to be careful of how you speak. Powerful or not, you’ve already made some pretty powerful enemies by just speaking the words. Those travel far here fairly quickly.” He warned. “You also had already made me more of a target than I already was. So thanks for that.”

He scowled at her fond smile at the mention of the children he was taking care of. It made him seem weak, he thought. That’s why he almost never mentioned the kids. “I want to make it very clear that the kids are to be left out of every single situation this May or may not put us in. If they, or you, hurt a single hair on one of their heads, I will freak out. They don’t deserve the backlash this may bring me.” He leaned a bit closer, his arm still a little fresh with blood. “If there is any backlash, it goes on me. They are not to be mentioned. Okay?” He looked at her very serious, wanting a response before he continued, taking her hand in his in a little pact.

"Vinny, by the way. Hopefully this is the start of something worth my while, yeah?"

Vinny's statement elicited a kindly laugh. "Vinny then, a pleasure. I've already given you my vow. If that doesn't convince you, I suppose that you must simply wait to see the veracity of my claims." The vampire paused to look at him meaningfully. "My oath applies to you as well. I will not stop you if you need to accompany me for personal closure, but it is no means required. I will storm the lions' den alone just as happily, knowing you and yours are safe."

Sylvari then smiled proudly, remembering her past fights. "I've fought things, monsters in the wild, that would make these men quiver in their boots. I am unafraid. What are mere flesh and bone before the great tempest of fury that is nature? If this quest is destined to end with my demise, at least I can meet oblivion having done something just in my passing. But nothing will stop me from achieving my goal before I give up my spirit; death didn't stop me the first time. I doubt it should come to that, though; this armor is more than just for show." Sylvari gave another confident smile, quirking one of the corners of her mouth.

"Vinny, lead me to my destiny. Victory or tragedy, glory or death."

Vinny grabbed the vampire’s hand, pulling her along outside. “Yeah, not here.” They seemed dramatic at best, which was not a good thing. They definitely had to get somewhere quieter. Though he did make sure to swipe the coins on the way out.



Vinny dragged her down the street, into an alleyway, and into a small abandoned shed-like room.



“OK. There’s no one here. Seems safe enough. You’ll have to excuse me, but even if I do give you this information, there will still be people loyal to them. There’ll also be people still controlling the population on the streets here. Whatever you’re planning… Is not a solution that will last. You are aware of that, yes?”





“Nonetheless, if it gets you to shut up… The people you’re looking for are the Drakes. Their leader is a girl named Lorelai. She grew up on the streets, like I did. She’s about my age… We went on fairly different paths. All she cares about is money and power. I’d usually leave her alone, but she and I had an agreement, and well.. She just broke it.”



Vinny looked very uncomfortable, telling Sylvari all this information. Still, he definitely wasn’t lying.

Sylvari had to stifle a smile at Vinny's forward and forceful lead. There was sadness in her eyes as well, to know one so young must be so serious. It's clear he cares deeply about these kids. That amount of responsibility, for one so young, I guess it's only natural that he would be so stoic.

As Sylvari was led into a small ramshackle shed in the alleyway between buildings, her demeanor changed to one of absolute seriousness, mentally cataloguing the information Vinny provided. As Vinny spoke about the futility of the proposed solution, Sylvari only grimly nodded, having no illusions to the fact that the road to recovery for this place would be easy.

"Justice often feels like an impossible battle; that the forces arrayed before us are too great to surmount. But as long as one good person keeps fighting, there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. I am committed to the path, no matter what may stand in my path. You've heard my commitment, I mean to make good on it, even if I must thrust off a thousand chains before this place can be free."

Sylvari paused to consider Vinny's words about her target. She looked him in the eye, without any trace of levity or politeness that she carried before. The only thing he saw as he stared into her pools of crimson were the eyes of a predator, considering carefully her prey. "The Drakes... this Lorelai. Are any among them worthy of mercy? Are any capable of it?"

Vinny hesitated. It felt wrong, selling out someone who was meant to be like a sister to him. But he had seen how the streets were being run. The fear mongering, the ‘taxing’, the bullying. It was systematic, and it was abusive. Did he understand why she had done it? Sure. But it was morally wrong.



“...You remember asking me if I ever dreamt of something…. More? Of flourishing? Well I have. I dreamt of being far away from this place, but I have my responsibilities, and the ability to help those who were like me.” He looked away, staring at the wall. “Lorelai was the same way. But for her it’s turned into something that I’m sure even she knows isn’t quite right. She’s twisted it, to benefit herself and those who support her reign. But she’s only 18. She’s just a kid herself, we all are.” He sighs.



“You can do whatever you want, at this point it is not my business. Just keep in mind. You’re… You’re a creature, of some sort, right? You’ve lived several lives over, from the way you speak. Well this is our only one, and we are simply trying to make the best of it.”



He had so many people to think of, and the thought of betraying, or abandoning, one of his own… Well, he didn’t want the hint of hurt to show in his eyes, so he didn’t look directly at her. The hesitation was a clear sign, though, he was sure.

Sylvari was forcibly ejected out of her hunting mindset at Vinny's earnest words. She faltered, a sad smile breaking upon her face as she looked at the boy who refused to meet her eye.

"We all wear the masks that we feel will protect us from the outside world, myself included. I have had to adapt to what I've become, and by no means was there no loss in the process. This mantle I wear, this façade I portray, it's to keep other at arm's length so I don't hurt anyone I care about. I haven't been what I am for all that long; it hasn't been that many moons since I was banished from my people. I'm not all that much older than you, and I wasn't yet a full member of my society. All that to say, I don't think I'm infallible."

Sylvari paused to reach out and place a tender hand on Vinny's arm, trying to meet his eyes to show her sincerity. "That's why I'm relying on your judgment. Part of my justiciar training was learning who could be trusted, and I can see in your words and actions that you care for others. You see the good in them and are rooted in this place, in a way that I could not be. If you think these people are capable of redemption, I will stake my life on your proclamation."

With that, Sylvari lifted her hand and turned to make ready for the coming battle, sparing a single glance back at Vinny. "I storm their lair at dusk, if you wish to be there." Sylvari gave a lone last smile before exiting the shed.

Almost instinctively, he pulled away from her grasp. This all felt too personal for him. He hated it a little.



He had to pause to think - Honestly, were any of them capable of redemption? Was he? He got lost in thought for a moment of all the stealing he’d done in his life - Though for good reason, it didn’t mean it wasn’t a bad thing. But Lorelai also thought what she was doing was for a good reason…



He watched her leave, hesitation still swimming in his heart. What sort of trouble did he just send his old friend’s way? He stood there for a while, trying to decide on what to do. It was a few minutes after the lady had left that Rhea had straggled in.



“Vin! There you are. What’s wrong with you? You know better than to stay in one place for too long.”



The voice lifting from the ten year old pulled him out of his own thoughts, and he sighed, walking towards her and pulling her close as he continued walking with her. “You’re right, Rhe. Hey, I’ve got something to do tonight - Would you mind making sure the others stay put while I’m out?”



The little one nodded, and the two mumbled in conversation for a while as they walked.



–



At dusk, he stepped out. He knew roughly where Sylvari would be, so he guided himself to the same area, though out of sight. His mask was pulled up, and his hood pulled close as he kept an eye out for the vampire, and the trouble they were bound to bring.

In the time since leaving Vinny's company, Sylvari had been far from idle. Armed with the name of the organization she was hunting, she was much abler to direct her pressure for information on various people of the community, though she did take special care to leave Vinny's name out of her probing. Much as it pained her, the interrogation was part of an effective justiciar's job as much as they gallantry of saving commoners from monsters. This type of syndicate was at least as deadly as a rampaging creature, and Sylvari brought all of her considerable skill to bear in the hunt.

A healthy blend of bribes, threats, and her new vampiric charm found Sylvari standing before a non-descript house in a row of similar others. Just the place for criminals to hide: in plain sight. The camouflage is impressive, but I doubt the guards would prosecute even if they found these Drakes. This seems a capable guild, and the local lawbringers have likely been paid off. Sylvari shook her head in disgust at the thought.

Stealth had never been Sylvari's strong point, and she made no attempt to hide her presence as she stared up at the syndicate headquarters, fully clad in her armor for battle. She did not wear her customary veil. Let them see what they're dealing with: the kind of monsters such misdeeds attract. With any luck, gods willing, it will cause some of them to reconsider.

Sylvari could almost instinctively feel eyes on her as she approached the slightly dilapidated building. Whether that be Vinny’s or someone else’s, she’d never tell. But as she approached, she could hear tiny feet scrambling a bit behind the door, and tiny voices saying, almost whispering, ‘she’s here! Where Lorelai? Someone get her. She’s here!’



Vinny watched from afar, only really wanting to make sure that everyone was safe- Though that was probably not going to happen. Before he could make any moves, the door slowly opened in front of Sylvari.



“I was wondering what took you so long. You certainly didn’t make a secret about your visit.”



The girl in front of Sylvari was dressed very similarly to Vinny. Simplistic, dark clothes. Nothing really fancy. She did look a lot more put together than the boy, of course. She was also significantly shorter - A dwarf’s stature, clearly. Smaller in size, but more confident in her stride. Dark hair, almost pitch black, with braids strewn within. Light blue eyes with a bit more life in it than those around her.



“Can I help you?” She asked, almost smugly. Even from afar, Vinny could sense the arrogance. It irritated him, at best.



Around her, people either stared at the two in fear, or would be trying to simply walk away, trying to escape from the incoming storm.

"Justiciars do not hide their approach from evil: their quarry should know that reckoning is coming and tremble." Sylvari cast an imperious gaze over the dwarven woman, the calculating eye of a woman on a mission, crimson orbs shining slightly, reflecting the ambient light.

"Lorelai, I presume? The people of this town have many things to say about you, once appropriate incentives are provided, and very few of them are positive. That being said, I do have a single vote of confidence for your redemption. Therefore, I will give you a single chance to change your ways, both to you and yours: return what you have stolen to the people and focus your efforts on helping rather than harming."

Sylvari did not hold out much hope for such an easy peaceable solution, feeling the gazes of several perspectives surrounding her. Nevertheless, she was honor-bound to offer mercy as she had promised, and the red of her eyes blazed as she stared straight at Lorelai, daring her to spurn such a generous offer. Wisps of shadowy energy emerged at intervals around Sylvari's fingers as she flexed them, like smoke from a dying fire. She would get her fill of justice, and blood, from any who opposed her.

“Where has helping other people ever gotten people like me?” Lorelai quipped. “Or have you been talking too much to that boy?” Her eyes wandered a little, to a spot that would mean almost nothing to Sylvari, but Vinny could feel, piercing through to his soul. From behind Sylvi, Vinny sighed, and jumped off the balcony, walking up to them. “Here I thought I wasn’t going to get involved,” He mumbled, pulling his mask off.



He bowed his head slightly to Sylvi as he glared at Lorelai.



“Couldn’t have kept your mouth shut, my love?”



“I am not your love, and maybe next time keep your word. That’s all you have, after all, isn't it?”



The exchange between the two was clearly singed with animosity. The two clearly have a history.



“After all, I know how you feel about people keeping their words - Though, you always have been exempt from that rule, haven’t you?”



Lorelai rolled her eyes. “Were you the one who gave this weirdo her ‘single vote of confidence’? Were you hoping I’d change my ways? You know our people are better off under my care than ever.”



“People are dying, Lor.” he retorted. “People under your care are being kidnapped, tortured, and killed, on your behalf.”



Lorelai chuckled a little. “They should have kept their word.”



Vinny sighs, and looks over at Sylvi. “Do what you need to do. I’m not one for bloodshed.” He finally says, turning around to walk off. That was, until someone grabbed him from behind, forcing him into a kneeling position. “Not so fast, Darling. Once we’re done with her, we need to have a conversation…” Lorelai grins.

Sylvari silently watched the exchange between Vinny and Lorelai with calculating eyes. Their shared history was obvious, but given Vinny's care for his people juxtaposed with Lorelai's clear careless attitude for life even in casual conversation, somewhere along the way there was an incident that divided them.

Sylvari was a little surprised that Vinny had shown up at all, given his professions of avoidance, but she had left an open invitation for a reason. Nonetheless, when Vinny turned to leave, Sylvari gave him a small nod of acknowledgement. This soft approval quickly turned the icy rage when one of the burly men that watched the exchange stepped from the shadows at Lorelai's silent behest to grapple Vinny from behind.

This was a breach of the façade of etiquette that Sylvari would not brook. Finally unrestrained, shadowy claws of eldritch energy swirled over her fingers ^{[Eldritch Claws]}, and Sylvari dug the newly-formed appendages into the shoulder of Vinny's accoster. This was met with muted shrieks of pain from the man as she held her other hand against his throat, trailing swirling darkness across tender flesh.

"I believe the boy expressed a desire to leave. Let's not drop the veneer of civility so soon. I would hate to see us lose our heads." To emphasize her point, Sylvari closed her hand slightly, drawing lines of blood from the man's throat.

"Civility?" A laugh from behind Sylvari echoed out into the silent night. "You're one to talk, lass, talking about redemption for all of two seconds before threatening my man with his life." The dwarven woman made a hand signal to her captured comrade, causing him to release Vinny. "We can find him whenever we like. You though, you come into my town and threaten me, talking some bullshit about justice as if you ever been wronged in your whole privileged life. That pisses me off. Let's see you back up those brave words, love."

At the unspoken signal, all the men from the shadow began emerging, encircling Sylvari with murderous intent. Sylvari looked all around her sizing up her foes. A difficult fight. They are clearly well-prepared. No need to hold back anymore. They've spurned the light. Sylvari looked up at Vinny and smiled softly, the first break in her hard visage since coming to this place. Silently, she mouthed to the boy, "Go." Then, in a single fluid motion, she drew her claws across her captive's throat, ending him soundlessly, as she twirled around, flinging out her shield.

The next few minutes we’re clanging, yelling, slicing. Vinny had managed to escape out of the middle of the mess, but just barely. And of course, he hesitated, watching Sylvari, almost entranced. Not out of fear, unlike Lorelai. He looked over at her, and he could just tell how much the gravity of the situation was hitting her now. She would try to keep a brave face, he surmised. But she would crack eventually.

“Lor, call it off!” He yelled, deciding to completely ignore Sylvi’s warning. “I know you don’t care about people’s lives, but you have to know this is insane.” He walked towards her, his expression one of pleading. He knew it was almost impossible to get through to her, but he couldn’t just stand and watch as everyone lost their lives.

“She’s one girl, Vinny. What’s the worst she can do?”

“I would implore you not to try and figure that out.”

She won’t listen to reason, he knew that. So instead, he subtly grabbed a knife from one of the fallen, and once he was close enough, tackled Lorelai, grabbing her hands and holding them behind her as he holds the knife to her throat.

“Call it off, Lorelai.”

Over the many trials and tribulations of the last year since her change, Sylvari had slowly and methodically opened herself more and more to the power housed within her blood. Friends with wise advice along the way had convinced her that power only amplified the heart of the one who wielded it, and with proper self-control and practice, she could tap into the heightened prowess of her heritage without losing herself to the beast within.

As a result, she was faster, stronger, and more durable than the foes that came before her. She made effort not to lose herself completely to the bloodlust adrenaline of the situation, but she danced perilously close to oblivion. While she held her blows against many of those before her, incapacitating them with injury, others, the more tenacious among them, met untimely ends on claws that were becoming more red than black.

The combination of Sylvari's grace and fluidity, even in her cumbersome armor ^{[Knight, Light as a Feather]}, the protection of the carapace she surrounded herself with ^{[Cuirass 2/2 Hit Preventions], [Shield 3/3 Hit Preventions], [Gauntlets 1/2 Hit Preventions], [Greaves 1/2 Hit Preventions]}, and a not insignificant amount of luck, that fed into the group's growing fear of the vampiress, had led to her diminishing half their number without taking a substantial blow herself. So drawn was she into the fight, her thoughts only of blood and combat, that she did not see the struggle between Vinny and Lorelai some yards away. Nor was she aware of the rapidly mounting case she was making for Lorelai to accept Vinny's way out.

There was only blood and steel, and, as the fight dragged on, any reservations Sylvari had about slaking her thirst on her foes dwindled to nothing, as she began taking tithes from each neck she felled.